2024 TELUS #CanChamp: Toronto FC vs. Forge FC | Matchday Live PRE-GAME show 🔴

[Applause] FC once more bodies all over the floor it's drilled and Colo takes FL no cleu he snuck it in this is batty bonga and he's going to try and catch C out B he goes ball and for lead in the semifinal oh he's going to have to be big forger hungry po it's two crazy po the talence Canadian championship is back look out it's been seven weeks since leg one of the semi-final and the weight is now over to determine who will move on to the championship game grab your cotton candy try to win some toys and then make your way inside be mfield for Toronto FC versus Forge FC the action is coming your way on one soccer it is Match Day Live teams making their way inside the stadium you know there was a time when Toronto FC would purposely schedule home games during the X because they needed the walk up traffic not anymore we know the legacy of this club they have won many Canadian titles they have won an MLS Cup as well but Forge would like to slay the dragon here and possibly make their way to a can champ final the traditional route as we know let's welcome you inside our one soccer Studio Annie Petrillo alongside Gareth wheeler Jordan Wilson what's up Canada let's go right now and Crown ourselves a semi-final winner and see if they can go on to become the Voyager cup champ all right we know that in leg one it was Forge FC who walked away with the 2-1 victory over Toronto but wheels that game was on July 10th what has changed between these two clubs oh well a lot has changed in general Camila Harris is now running for president for the Democratic party JLo and Ben Affleck broke up they did did you know that and Oasis got back together Jordan bought a new Pink Suit Andy patrilla was at the Olympics I got a new Halloween costume because of it as a break dancer so a lot went on you're going to break a lot of things then on Halloween I got I got moves and I guarantee I got moves that are better than that uh but look for both these teams they've hit their stride like going into the first leg on July 10th Forge ended up winning that game 2-1 in the first leg Toronto FC were on Dreadful form they had it won in nine games they lost six consecutive games and they made it seven in a row 07 not the number you want to have attributed to yourself in the game of football and changes since that time Bill Manning has left the club they trade away jaquille Marshall already they get back Jonathan assio Richie Lara and Shawn Johnson all three were at Copa America all three in the 11 tonight vitally important as for Forge they went from fifth in the Canadian Premier League all the way up to first place they just seem to be ticking over nicely they brought back some familiar faces some different players have rotated uh from the outside into the team as well and they've gone on to win six of the nine games since so you have two teams that are humming right now now just wonder who that benefits more I'm excited for this match wills and Andy because both teams are turning that corner and there's no excuses sometimes when you have players missing you're like oh we're not full strength both teams right now Forge have only lost one in their last eight TFC although there's a lot going on with the club they seem to be winning and and and Rowing in the right direction so tonight this match it means a lot for both clubs it sure does and again the action all around them with the X as well the fans are buzzing for this but let's see how they got to this point uh Forge and Toronto both started play in the preliminary round TFC phase two Semi-Pro signs to get to the semi-final Forge beat York in round one and then in their fourth attempt they finally beat MLS side CF Montreal yes later tonight by the way we are going to bring you Pacific FC Vancouver White Caps as well meantime let's head inside beo field now and let's get to the two gentlemen who will be calling tonight's match Adam Jenkins and five-time Canadian champion John Conway Andy thank you yes with the five-time Canadian champion John Conway who's won a lot of those trophies on this field I'm sure you remember these 38 39° sweltering days what has changed from the time that you were playing for Toronto FC and now is how long it's been since the trophy's been one it almost used to feel automatic that they were going to be in the dance they enter this match down a goal and they're not taking any chances the preparation that they've had to put in to get to this moment and the lineup that John Herman has chosen says how much they care what is it about Forge this match in the score line that has Herdman sort of going over every Last Detail well Adam you got to look at just Saturday night they go down to Houston they get an unexpected win on the road and they rested all like eyes Insignia doesn't travel petrata doesn't travel berneski plays 60 Minutes Richie ler plays 78 minutes long staff Shane O'Neal plays 75 minutes or so so they pinpoint this game they need a win it's a massive night for them and then they going to come out guns blazing and it's obvious what's at stake for Forge in this one they've been to a final against Toronto FC this still just the but what would this mean to come to beima which they've not done before this is their first time on this grass to come here beat them go to the final and really set up what should be depending on later tonight be all three MLS sides on the way to a voyers cup let's not get too carried away but Monumental I mean this is a Monumental night for Forge I think they are poised to do it they have the experienced team they have experience in cup play they'll be ready tonight I think Bobby smos will be have these guys keyed in on what they want to do I'd like to see how they come out I hope they come out aggressive and pinch a goal early and really make this game interesting I think they'll be organized defensively I think they'll use their speed in the Counterattack and try and catch toron FC and I think it's going to be an exciting night Adam well Bobby smas and Forge are always going into every game believing they can win it doesn't matter if they're playing a league one Ontario team or the team that's lifted this voyers cup on countless occasions they got to stay out of their own way play their game and Forge could be going on to the final but TFC Andy will try and do something about that they will Adam and they are looking stronger than they did in leg one you heard wheel say it they do have the additions of players they didn't have in leg one that includes Richie Lara Jonathan asorio and Shan Johnson Prince AO he was I guess you call it a semi hero in that leg one because he got that road goal 88th minute that was huge for TFC head coach John Herdman with our Oliver plat John back at beo field a place you've had a lot of special nights how much can that home crowd and Home Advantage help you tonight yeah I mean we're happy to be back home I think a some technical difficulties there I would have loved to have hear what he said about being back home but we're going to talk about being back home because this is great for TFC they're on different form as well yes they had the leagues cup uh but we you heard uh you know John Conway allude to the fact that they were in Houston that was a 1-nil victory for them somebody who assisted in that game was Federico berneski and there was about a 14-day span between May 4th and May 18th where he put up seven goals in four games in all competition it's kind of dried up a little bit there Jordan for him offensively but you still think he is a catalyst for this team why yeah for sure I think when you look at teams and and you try to break another team down you do your homework bernardes is the first name that you look at because he's the one running at your your back four he's the one picking up the ball and he's Relentless compared to last season where you saw maybe moments of him in games but now he is the guy that's just running all the time and running at at back fors and creating space with eight goals and eight assists this season if Fords are going to have success tonight they need to shut him down the same way for me oabi belu did in the first leg you have to nullify his strengths and that's really getting tight to him early Wheels yeah in scored in more recent vintage scored twice in the 4-3 loss to inter Miami in League's cup play but I the energy of the attack comes through berneski whether he's playing just as a right wing back I think it's been a good move it's kept them focused over the course of the Season or playing underneath a Wu or number nine up top he's versatile either way my only criticism is I think he can be even more productive than he is like eight and eight when you're fifth in league in shots and you spend so much time on the ball and are so influential in a lot of positive ways it's that final product from time to time Andy that lets him down uh Richie Laray obviously was a tough start for him dealing with that hamstring injury kept him out for quite a bit of time did look good on International Duty bringing that play back now to Toronto FC where do you see him best used well he's being used on the left side of Defense we've seen for the national team that he can be used on both flanks I think he's a better player playing down the right hand side but with berneski and options down the right I mean he's utilized down the left scored a match winner in a derby against Montreal and he's so good at finding space and playing so incredibly high this is what John Herdman wants as fullbacks or those players in wide areas to do play exceptionally High become almost like deao Wingers really and sometimes they leave open their defensive duties in order to get forward laa knows how to get forward into those pockets of space and on the ball we know spectacular as he is drawing fouls a young player Malcolm Duncan tonight is going to have his hands full well that's the matchup we want to see right the the former Sigma boys Malcolm Duncan I thought he's an old school right back for me someone who likes to stay home likes to defend and then when that's taken care of going forward but with someone like Rich L who loves to come inside loves to go down the left bombs forward and has that pace and strength you know you're going to have your hands full so with Malcolm Duncan it's do your defensive duties first and then try to find some Joy after that why does Richie Lara always look like he's ready for a fight even after he scores a goal he scores the goal me mug yeah Mean Mug ited Houston as well like like every game and I think that this team this TFC at times they wanted to add more of that this season it comes through Lara it comes through Flores who's on the bench tonight sometimes you need a little bit more snarl in this team right some grit and that's why so valuable in this team like him Osorio auu whose goal in the last leg has completely changed his complexion I think he fouled the player on on the play I don't think the goal should have stood in the first leg but he didn't start that game either so with them and with Shawn Johnson and net this is a whole different battle that's going to be waged uh for Forge tonight against a very good TFC side it really is some different players as well on Forge and we take a look at their starting 11 yes we'll get to quacy Pok just a moment I want to address the elephant in the room right away he has been sold we get get to that in just a moment but Daniel para is back he had to serve a suspension in leg one so he takes up his usual left back spot and since mid AUST we've actually seen yam kot who's been in goal for Forge over Chris colongo and yeah up front Hamilton Tristan bores in particular as well those two will be relied upon to score some goals let's hear from Bobby smotes with our Oliver plat ready Bobby you come into tonight's match with a onego Advantage how do you give your plays Clarity in terms of when to gamble when to protect what you have and and that kind of approach tonight I think you know I usually don't talk about a game being at nil nil but that's the way you got to look at it you got to come in here and play don't play the score uh make sure you play the game and then as the game goes on you see what needs to be done because I think sometimes dangerous to look at what's happened in the first game in in any League your team has played in plenty of big matches and knockout competitions before do you have to say anything different on nights like this or do the players know what the task is oh I think there's a lot of experience in the room they they understand what we have here we have an ability to uh take one game right here and and go on and play for a trophy these guys have done it they've done it in a lot of different atmospheres around around North and Central America so it's just another beautiful night here for forun thank you Bobby good luck tonight if there's one thing I learned over the years watching Bobby SME Otis is that when he makes moves don't question them because they end up working out but I'm still going to question it because you guys have mentioned Malik Olo Al Bell Wu and he looked good against berneski as well in leg one shutting him down but Daniel par mentioned wasn't in that game because of suspension he's back and Bobby's like that's who I'm putting there doesn't matter how great the previous player was against berneski I'm putting him there are you good with that I think so he's he's the best left back for me in the Canadian premier league and probably the best addition to this forward side U coming into this season ABI bellu it has to be said her early successes in the first leg against Toronto FC came from the fact that he shut berneski down the fact that he nullified him and made the game difficult for him and often times frustrated him it's very interesting looking at this match up tonight because par is not a Defender a left back that will sit Wheels he's not a guy that will just go and and and and really take that pressure he wants to go forward so I think the biggest thing tonight for Forge in all aspects but specifically on that left side is just about balance when do you go forward and try to make that goal and punish them away from home and when do you stay Compact and I think par has got it right most of the time in the CPL but he's against a different Beast tonight you know he's being a top two left back in the Canadian Premier League this season and there are reference points for him doing well against MLS competition against CF Montreal par was outstanding playing more defensive in the in that game as well but olabi Bell was a player that John Herman pinpointed as a star performer in that first game I was wondering if there was a way that it could fit both of them in but smis is siding with consistency and continuity in terms of formation instead so hey look like this is a very attacking starting 11 by Toronto FC tonight Henry Wingo comes in brand new he's hasn't played any of these players as well so perhaps there is an opportunity for this Forge team to spend some time on the ball and really ask some questions about the TFC back line we can play the aggregate game here um but at the end of the day I'm sure Forge just wants to go out win and kind of put this to bed but as I mentioned no quacy poku he has been sold to a Belgium side it's for a league record fee he was scoring a lot of goals for them in particular in the Canadian championship putting up goals against Toronto FC and CF Montreal prove that he could score against MLS sides so who becomes their biggest threat now well there's a number of different players that can wear that hat I mean Jordan Hamilton's going to lead the line for Forge tonight of course part of the 2017 MLS Cup winning side but he's a completely different player than quazy poku like poku was the guy that could maybe beat you a little bit more in behind Hamilton doesn't have the pace or the energy that poku brings to the table he has other very good skills I think he's an excellent finisher and he can do the job here tonight but it's going to be a collective between Hamilton Benny babonga was outstanding scoring the most the most memorable goal of the night from Midfield I mean he's going to be a key focal point as well but with bores and shanier like these are very experienced players and batty bang has the ability to go in and do this and this really caught the eye is sha Johnson going to be caught off the line maybe I just don't put all this on Luka Gavin that's well hit by B banga and he has a role to play in tonight's game as well yeah and with Bobby smon looking at this team a lot of managers will going into this match and maybe go a bit more defensive but do you leave out of Borges in the lineup Oran Benny B you got to keep these players in because they're what going they're the players that are going to win you these type of games so I think with that threat I think Jordan Ham's going to get Hamilton is going to get a lot of service from these players I hope that he's there and ready for it I just had a feeling this morning when I woke up that he's going to go and score I just hope that's a goal that really puts Forge in a position to win this match and it's been a return to form for bores this season shanier is Being Fit I mean the numbers are really solid for schier his brother with the move to grasshopper of Switzerland here today but this is a player we've seen him when they playing Continental competition he's been a match winner so I'm sure that he's craving and really looking forward to tonight as well and Off the Bench Taran Campbell uh who is the all-time leading goal scorer in the CPL with 39 that is still an option hasn't been fully fit but there's that option too but again yeah Benny banga if you give him that opportunity which by the way he seems to like to do that heads up if he gets the ball and he sees the goalkeeper off his line sayara you've got to keep your eye on that uh that's for sure and it was a great start for Forge in that game against uh TFC so they take the 2-1 lead into the second leg of the semifinal well when we return we're going to check in with Oliver plat how many rides do you think he's been on not a single one is there a case where you're too tall for a ride that could be his Cas too short but the classic Polar Express there's actually one called the jalopy Junction and whatever that is I'm sure olly wrote [Music] it Toyota's electrified vehicles are for everyone every chauffeur snack connoisseur every scenery Soaker practical joker every row Tripper tow Dipper every 9-to-5 every long driver starting over 20 years ago with the Prius we now have the largest lineup of electrified vehicles in Canada because this journey belongs to everyone life's better with extra space space for family space for memories space for you try four weeks free access storage proud partner of Canada [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Soccer s [Applause] thank you Canada for making dreams come true we're with you all the way [Music] [Music] [Music] that shirt with these pants oh um graph paper don't box me in two zipper pencil case period we're going to need a bigger backpack oh thank you [Music] 20 Canadian championship final was a strange one forced to work around the pandemic it was actually held on June 4th 2022 between CPL winners Forge and the winner of a mini tournament between the three MLS sides TFC Alejandro pello put the Reds up but three minutes later Tristan Bourg is tied things up Toronto went on to win 54 in penalties to claim the voyagers cup and now these two teams meet in the semifinal a birth to the final on the line forg two one winners in leg one and now their fans have made the Trek in hopes of witnessing history Barton Street Battalion in the house inside beo field and here's a little visualization of what that travel from Hamilton forge's Home Base looks like here we go you're going to hop on the 403 you're going to round the bend before it joins up with the qw until you see the picturesque Toronto skyline that comes into view no way you're making that trip that fast cuz TR traffic it's not happening it's not moving 76 km later you are at the site of tonight's match B Mo field and a front row seat for tonight's game is our Oliver plat as we head inside beo field um olly you know just as intriguing as the players are in this match are the coaches what do you make of Bobby versus Johnny yeah I think it's another great matchup we talked about it obviously before the first like not having seen these two coaches who have had such a big impact in the Canadian game go head-to-head before and I thought it was a really intriguing battle you know as much as Forge took the leads with two early goals and looked like they'd really be been on Top early in that game in terms of the score line I think actually Toronto started the game better and it was interesting to see during those goal celebrations for that amazing Benny bad Banger goal uh the Bobby simotas and David Edgar and his staff they they were reorganizing right they were changing the shape in the system slightly to try to adapt to what tonc we doing so really always a pleasure to see these two coaches go up against each other and to see that kind of tactical battle unfolds as the game goes on and not just from the beginning as well yeah nice little chess match that these two coaches seem to play very well and you know oi it's just inevitable that drone gate is making its way uh as a topic heading into this game and in fact Bobby smis when he spoke to the media yesterday he was asked about the Drone that flew over their practice but before leg one what was his response and what more information do we have on these allegations yeah well Bobby s's response was to do what Bobby simotes often does which is to make a joke about it right and bring a bit of levity to a situation like that he said he's not with the csis or the CIA so that's not for him to to look into but what he did say at the end of his comments that I think is notable is that it's it's for other people to look into and that's obviously a process that's going to un fold in the coming weeks and and maybe months and you know we're going to have to see how that plays out I I think it's a shame that we're here you know on one of the best nights in the Canadian Club calendar with a bit of a shadow cast over it because of allegations like those just as a shadow was cast Over The Women's National Team at the Olympic Games last month as well so hopefully this investigation can get to the root of the problems and can allow us to to clean up where things need to be cleaned up and we can move forward with a higher higher ethical standard for the Canadian game yeah yeah well we know the Heritage committee wanted some answers before the end of September so maybe that means we'll get some answers too olly enjoy the game we'll check in with you a little later on and this match here by the way is the first of our double header tonight coming up later a West Coast clash between the Vancouver white caps in Pacific FC the reigning Canadian Champions White Caps take a one-nil lead into the second leg of their semifinal well we're getting closer to kickoff between Forge and TFC inside b mfield a spot in the final on the line whose season would that affect more we'll discuss that when we return on one soccer it's Match Day Live and it's the tus Canadian championship [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] for sport played with our feet funny how lending a hand takes us further together where are you I to [Music] only when the stakes are high only the tus 5G Network delivers life's better with extra space space for family space for memories space for you try four weeks free access storage proud partner of Canada Soccer [Music] [Music] this ultimate mouthwatering moment is brought to you by the big bold ultimate Taste of Ultimate Chicken hot dogs only from Maple Lodge Farms some big names have featured in the Canadian championship borian Striker Didia drug but Grace the tournament during his 2ear stay at St sauto before that Italian Legend alesandro Nesta lifted the voyagers cup in 20 2013 Nesta Remains the only World Cup champion to feature in the tournament in 2012 World Cup finalist toron frings claimed a Canadian championship crown with TFC the European football legend finished his football career in Toronto before coaching at various levels in Germany and who could forget Sebastian jinko arguably one of the greatest MLS Strikers of all time the atomic ant won three consecutive voyagers cups during his time at B Mo field and finally one of our own Alonso Davies made his white caps debut in 2016 at the age of 15 using the tournament as a launching pad into MLS and Beyond as we welcome you back inside our one soccer Studio Match Day Live it is the second leg of the semi-final T US Canadian championship tell me why you think this win would matter more for Forge this is the one that's missing from the trophy cabinet every year they're in the final every year they're top team in the CPL but you ask these players this is the one that's missing and if they've beaten CF Montreal and can go on and beat Toronto FC this one will feel sweet I'll go with TFC for two reasons one their standard is playoffs and a trophy every year I mean I think that that was even reasonable for Herdman in company coming into this team and on top of that Herman's got to be feeling the pressure not only to win on the field in a game against a CPL team but these drone implications the genie is out of the bottle we don't know where this is going to end up but he cannot feel comfortable in his current standing right now no and for Forge to be able to make it to the final the traditional way not like that pandemic Final in 2020 and you're right the pressure will always also be on an MLs side to still get the job done and be in the final for the Canadian championship well the fans they're in their seats John Herdman with some last minute tips here hurry up get off the ride the game's about to start on one [Music] soccer the telis Canadian championship on one soccer is brought to you by Toyota Toyota's electrified vehicles are for everyone every chauffeur snack connoisseur every scenery Soaker practical joker every road Tripper tow Dipper every 9-to-5 every long driver starting over 20 years ago with the Prius we now have the largest lineup of electrified vehicles in Canada because this journey belongs to everyone the TS Canadian championship on one soccer is brought to you by CIBC Canada soccerstore.com is the official home for the widest range of Canada Soccer licensed product match jerseys and fan wear [Applause] 1 [Applause] 15 that shirt with these pants oh um okay graph paper don't box me in two zipper pencil case period we're going to need a bigger backpack oh thank you [Applause] thank you Canada for making dreams come true we're with you all the way the telis Canadian championship on one soccer is brought to you by All State [Music] [Applause] [Music] Nash against suon Nash scores in the goal what a [Music] goal surrounded by the Canadian national exhibition Fimo Field tonight as an ex exhibition of its own in store the telis Canadian championship semifinal second legs go tonight here on one soccer and it begins on the Lake Shore in the city of Toronto where TFC will host Forge for the very first time at bimo Fields Forge known as a big match Club in the Canadian premier league and one of their most impressive performances in their Club Short History was that Wednesday July the 10th when they won by two goals to one at Tim Horton's field setting up this match here where if they held a nil-nil draw they would be through if they concede a goal things get interesting for the Hammers there are all the permutations all the mathematical tie Breakers that we will walk you through what we know for an absolute certainty is that these clubs want it desperately TFC wants to remember that feeling of wasting some silverware at beo field Forge came so close only to lose in the Canadian championship final against their little or their older brothers from down across Lake Ontario huge implications tonight the winner will head West whether that's to Vancouver Island or to the city of Vancouver for the Tallis Canadian championship final Forge come in with the advantage but can the CPL side stay out of their way do the right things and play Brave like they've done time and time again or will John Herman's side be able to rewrite the scripts this Alex Bloomfield is a public address announcer at balfield here he is for the pre-match presentation passing of former osteopath Gus candilis his commitment to our players and the club was unwavering our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family friends colleagues and all who were touched by his care and dedication please join us now in a moment of silence as we forever remember Gus candilis to Canada now please rise if you're able for the national anthem of Canada [Music] [Applause] [Music] I [Music] [Applause] live at beo field in Toronto the teles Canadian championship semifinal leg two Toronto and Forge Renzo